modualar compatibility with moog gear and power question

In a Moog Mood? Here's a forum for discussion of general Moog topics.
Post Reply
BHC303
Posts: 276
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:29 am
Location: Gold Coast Australia

modualar compatibility with moog gear and power question

Post by BHC303 » Sun Jul 29, 2012 1:10 am

Hello all,

I am not far off from building my modular (slow moving project), I remember reading a thread a while ago on the muff forum regarding different manufacturers having different power requirements and some operating with higher v CV/gate etc

I plan on a euro rack build at this stage, theirs just so many options, cables will be a bit of a pain in the arse... but might just be worth it.

I want to build a modular that will work with my moog gear, Is there any brands that will not work work with moog -5v/+5v format?

Prefab cases for Australian power supply, is there anything I need to know be fore buying?


Thanks :mrgreen:

EricK
Posts: 6010
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 2:09 pm

Re: modualar compatibility with moog gear and power question

Post by EricK » Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:45 am

They will all play together, but it's going to take a concerted effort on your part to make sure the voltages are at the right level. Muff's is really a better place to ask those questions, but there are also people here that can help.

This is an area I really should brush up on more myself.

Id say good luck, but your future is pretty much screwed. I foresee thousands more dollars exiting your wallet. :lol: Welcome to the club.
Support the Bob Moog Foundation:
https://moogfoundation.org/do-something-2/donate/

I think I hear the mothership coming.

BHC303
Posts: 276
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:29 am
Location: Gold Coast Australia

Re: modualar compatibility with moog gear and power question

Post by BHC303 » Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:35 am

hahaha cheers Erick :D

don't tell my wife :lol:

How do you make sure your voltages are good to go before patching?

I posted up on muff but did not get much feed back...

http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=

Thanks again mate :D

cliffman
Posts: 154
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:08 pm

Re: modualar compatibility with moog gear and power question

Post by cliffman » Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:42 am

I use the CP-251 mixer and attenuators all the time to get voltage levels correct. For measurement, i use a DSO Nano V2, and a little meter i wired up. Apparently I can't attach a photo.. :(

EMwhite
Posts: 1649
Joined: Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:22 pm
Location: Middlesex

Re: modualar compatibility with moog gear and power question

Post by EMwhite » Mon Jul 30, 2012 12:21 pm

There are a number of analog (but digital : ) o-scope modules that you can get your hands on for a few hundred dollars. (like this one: http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewto ... 6f78c1bdc5) Will not only show you voltage but also dual waveforms which is handy. But that's a fair sum of money that can be better spent (as you will soon see) on other modules.

But a simple multimeter or a voltmeter, possibly mounted behind a bland DIY panel with a single 1/4" or whatever jack type you like will do the trick. Then you can attenuate as somebody else said.

To give you just a bit more feedback.

You'll find that some modules leverage bipolar (to negative voltage, especially LFOs) while other just stay in the positive range. Some envelop generators also go negative. And btw: MoogerFoogers, despite saying "5V" actually push out greater voltage than that on the ring and also respond to high voltages coming back in (to Expression pedal jacks).

Many of the Moog circuits leverage the return voltage from Expression pedal jacks then 'add' this to the starting point of the pot on the panel (whether it be Voyager or Fooger). I'm not as technical so some of the other folks here but you can think of it as a base and an offset and I've found that beginning with a low base allow for greater range and values > 5V are actually useful in getting a given control to where you want it.

Certainly voltages > 10V are a bad idea and I 'think' there is protection at least at some level so best advice is to keep within range of what the equipment manufacturer recommends.

Gates are another matter. Some gear is extremely finicky when it comes to recognizing a gate either by leading edge, trailing edge, seeing a voltage at a specific level; many manufacturers (Synth.com is one) documents the voltages specifically. I've found Moog to be especially liberal on some pieces of gear and difficult on others (my Old School Voyager).

Hope this somewhat extended explanation helps.
'76 Minimoog, Taurus 3, Oberheim FVS + Son of 2-voice; Sequential ProOne; Juno 106; Moog Model 15; Kurzweil 250; Hammond M3; and a handful of Fender Basses Flickr!

BHC303
Posts: 276
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:29 am
Location: Gold Coast Australia

Re: modualar compatibility with moog gear and power question

Post by BHC303 » Tue Jul 31, 2012 3:33 am

cliffman wrote:I use the CP-251 mixer and attenuators all the time to get voltage levels correct. For measurement, i use a DSO Nano V2, and a little meter i wired up. Apparently I can't attach a photo.. :(
I would love to see a pic!

Can you host it on photbucket or something?

BHC303
Posts: 276
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:29 am
Location: Gold Coast Australia

Re: modualar compatibility with moog gear and power question

Post by BHC303 » Tue Jul 31, 2012 3:38 am

Thanks EMwhite, a very interesting read, thanks again for posting this up!

I will check out the o-scope modules!

The research continues... any one wana buy a virus ti2 lol

BHC303
Posts: 276
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2012 6:29 am
Location: Gold Coast Australia

Re: modualar compatibility with moog gear and power question

Post by BHC303 » Tue Jul 31, 2012 5:13 am

So all modern moog gear is +/-5V for Cv and gate correct?

So I am essentially looking for companies that follow suit, having +/-5V format. (without the need of attenuation and o scopes etc)

I had a quick look on the analog haven site and a lot of popular companies do not even list this in there specs?

And just to understand it a little beter +/-5V means every volt within this group? like -5v trough to 0v... through to+5v etc?

Sorry for my interrogation lol

Post Reply